LANDSCAPE DREAMSCAPE AND WHIMSY
OPENS APRIL 23rd, 2025
Three Bowen Island artists; Lisa Arthur, Heather Stephens, and Pamela Goossen are presenting their latest works at the Hearth Gallery April 23, to May 12, 2025.
Please join us at the artist pARTy on Friday, April 25, 2025, 6-8pm
About the artists:
Lisa Arthur
As an artist whose journey began in the realm of traditional oil painting, Lisa’s evolution and exploration into the world of ink and calligraphy brush has been return to a long-standing fascination. A pivotal moment in the year 2000 redirected her artistic compass, when sheencountered the transformative works of Chang Dai-chien, master of splashed-ink (pomo) and splashed-color (pocai) techniques. His magnificent paintings resonated deeply within Lisa and ignited a passion that has since guided her creative path. These new works are representative of her exploration into the traditional eastern practice of ink painting and the more contemporary “one stroke painting” as defined by Kaz Tanahashi.
Lisa studied art at Emily Carr University, OCAD, Ottawa School of Art, earned a BFA Honors degree from the University of Guelph and a B.Ed. from UBC. At the University of Guelph Lisa was a winner of the Annual Juried Art Show. Lisa has taken private lessons with the late Yuk Man Lai, Boku-jazz artist Ari Tomita, calligraphy instruction with renowned Kazuaki Tanahashi, author of "Brush Mind" and currently is being mentored by Zen Li. She continues to learn traditional Chinese brush and Japanese calligraphy techniques which she uses as a basis for her own unique expression.
@LisaArthurArt
Heather Stephens is a retired kindergarten teacher turned artist, who discovered her passion for painting through online courses. She loves experimenting with various materials and techniques, often blending styles and adding texture to her work. Her pieces invite the viewer into a world of colourful, layered depth, reflecting her playful, exploratory approach to art.
@HeatherStephensArt
Pamela Goossen is a largely self-taught artist who has studied with prominent local artists for over 20 years. Her work blends portraiture, figurative art, and landscapes, with a recent shift toward natural themes. What she loves most about painting is the surprise—she follows her brush, creating works that are dreamlike, more evocative than provocative. Her paintings are held in private collections across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. She is also an award-winning writer and illustrator of children’s novels.
@ psgoossenart
From bold to quiet, from mysterious to playful, the works represent each artist’s unique way of seeing. In a noisy, complicated world, simplicity speaks volumes. One stroke of a Chinese brush. A single bird or blossom. A quiet moment captured.
LANDSCAPES, DREAMSCAPES AND WHIMSY
Three artists, Lisa Arthur, Heather Stephens and Pamela Goossen, are presenting their latest works at The Hearth Gallery April 23 - May 12, 2025. From bold to quiet, from mysterious to playful, the works represent each artist’s unique way of seeing.
As an artist whose journey began in the realm of traditional oil painting, Lisa Arthur's evolution and exploration into the world of ink and calligraphy brush has been a return to a long-standing fascination. A pivotal moment in the year 2000 redirected her artistic compass, when she encountered the transformative works of Chang Dai-chien, master of splashed-ink (pomo) and splashed-color (pocai) techniques. His magnificent paintings resonated deeply within Lisa and ignited a passion that has since guided her creative path. These new works are representative of her exploration into the traditional eastern practice of ink painting and the more contemporary “one stroke painting” as defined by Kaz Tanahashi.
It was a job transfer that brought Heather to Bowen Island 16 years ago. After two years of commuting, she recognized the magic of Bowen and moved here with her husband. Fast forward to retirement from her kindergarten teaching position at BICS, Heather had the opportunity to follow her desire to learn to paint. Through several online courses and a lot of exploration and experimentation, Heather began to discover her own style. She enjoys working with acrylic, mixed media and most recently house paint. Heather thinks her work is best described as whimsical.
Pamela Goossen is a Vancouver-based artist who loves visiting Bowen with her husband on their vintage wooden boat. She’s thrilled to be included in the upcoming Hearth Gallery exhibit. “It’s such a lovely, gallery,” she says. “I’m honoured to display my work alongside such talented artists.”
The first time she held a pastel stick in her hand, Pamela was hooked on art. Today, she works primarily in oils – creating paintings somewhere on the continuum between realism and pure abstraction. “To me, art is a form of meditation. Any day with a paint brush in my hand is a good day.”
Please join the artists for the pARTy at the Hearth Gallery on Friday, April 25, 6 – 8 pm
Artist Statements
Lisa Arthur - Artist Statement
Lisa's new works represent her exploration into the practice of ink painting.
Ink wash painting is typically monochromatic, using mainly shades of black, (occasionally the use of colour) with a great emphasis on skillful brushwork. The goal is not simply to reproduce the appearance of the subject, but to capture something of its essence or spirit. Emphasis is on " spontaneity, strength and beauty as much as self-expression".
The other characteristic of ink painting is that once a stroke is painted it cannot be changed or erased. As a result, ink painting is a technically demanding art form requiring concentration and skill.
The inspiration for Lisa's ink paintings came from Zhang Daqian, master of splashed-ink (pomo) and splashed-color (pocai) techniques as well as Kazuaki Tanahashi, the author of Brush Mind and pioneer of the genre of the "one-stroke painting".
Through her work, Lisa endeavors to create a dialogue between the ancient and the modern, the structured and the spontaneous, capturing the essence of movement, spirit or “chi”, and the ethereal qualities of ink. It is Lisa’s hope that her paintings not only echo her personal journey but also resonate with viewers, inviting them into a space of discovery and reflection.
The Way of the Line
The linear brush stroke is the very essence of Ink painting. The success of this line depends the entire character of the painting. All strokes are painted quickly and freely, once the general direction and feeling have been visualized in the artists mind. The artist strives toward a skilled "carelessness" in the control of the brush as the coordination between mind, eye, hand and brush must be such as to give the resulting stroke living spontaneity, strength, and beauty.
By changing direction of the brush stroke and by varying the pressure of the brush it is possible to achieve in continuously flowing strokes, limitless variations of the sembyo line, depending on one's capability, imagination or perhaps simple courage. *
* Morrissey Thompson, Kay, "The Art and Technique of Sumi-e Japanese Ink Painting, as Taught by Ukai Uchiyama" (Rutland, Vermont, Tuttle Publishing/Periplus Editions (HK)Ltd., 2019) p.12
Pamela Goossen - Artist statement
I follow my brush, creating works that are dreamlike, more evocative than provocative. Mine is a world of small moments; I love subtlety, layered meaning, and truths revealed in fragments. I often learn what a painting is about once it’s complete.
Heather Stephens - Artist statement
I’m an emerging artist who loves to play with acrylics and mixed media - especially anything that lets me add texture and layers. My work for this show is all about birds and flowers, with a whimsical twist. I like to keep things light and simple, focussing on the joy in everyday nature. There’s a lot of experimenting in my process as I enjoy trying new-to-me techniques. Hopefully, my art brings a little smile or sense of calm to whoever sees it.